Winning ugly can sometimes be rather fetching and Boro went back to basics in order to take a step forward at Reading.

We obviously don't yet know how much of an impact this will have on Boro's season and whether it will jump-start start them into life.

But what we do know is they needed this result and the pick me-up that comes with three points

And the manner of it, efficient and effective rather than pretty and polished, was satisfying. A week after Cardiff rocked up at the Riverside and 'did a job' on Boro, Garry Monk's side went and did exactly that to Reading.

Garry Monk would no doubt love to watch on from the technical area as his side deliver a free-flowing attack, attack, attack masterclass and cut their opponents to ribbons. We all would!

But equally there's a delight in watching discipline.

Sometimes you've got to play the individual game and Boro did that at Reading. After getting their noses in front thanks to a daft tackle from a Reading man and a cool head from the captain, Boro kept their shape and were patient. Reading probed but got nowhere fast and you could feel the angst setting in in the stands and the frustration on the pitch.

Garry Monk spoke of the need to "strike that right balance between defensive and offensive play" after the game.

In a nutshell, that's what Boro haven't been able to do on the whole this season but were able to do here.

Britt Assombalonga heads in to score for Middlesbrough

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At the back, rather than looking jittery and serving up assists for the opposition, they looked rock solid. Reading had all the ball but Boro never really looked under any undue stress. And while keeping the gate closed, they also retained their attacking threat. Boro were armed with the pace of Martin Braithwaite and Britt Assombalonga on the counter. Stewart Downing put in another fine display, too. That's three on the bounce.

And a word on Marcus Tavernier. What a confidence boost and a show of faith in the 18-year-old that Monk, under pressure after five games without a win, opted to start him in such a crucial game.

In the first half, Tavernier - with no previous league appearances to his name - was up against Paul McShane - with 313 previous league appearances to his name! Talk about rookie vs seasoned campaigner!

On the whole it was Boro who looked like seasoned campaigners. At times this term they've looked like a rabbit in the headlights but here they were in control and looked calm, composed and comfortable from the moment Leadbitter hammered home. He's magic, you know.

Defensive? Or just well drilled - and clever?

Stam, it should be said, spoke well after the game, particularly considering the growing pressure he's under. Indeed, he was asked by one reporter whether he fears for his job should they fail to beat Nottingham Forest on Tuesday.

He didn't come into the press room with an axe to grind about Boro's style of play and what he said didn't come across as being fuelled by bitterness. Rather frustration. For Stam will know only too well that Boro arrived with a gameplan and pulled it off.

Boro weren't particularly defensive. Instead, they were well drilled. And clever. They'd done their homework.

Gary Monk and Jaap Stam watch on

It's no secret that Reading like possession and play a patient passing game with a willingness to wait in a bid to break the opponents down. After being gifted the opener from the spot, Boro were more than happy to let the Royals have the ball. But they rarely looked like doing anything with it.

There were similarities with Reading's showing and recent Boro home displays. Lots of the ball but a shortage of confidence and ideas in the final third. And slip-ups at the back.

Of all the Championship teams on Saturday, only Fulham, at home to bottom club Bolton and chasing an equaliser for much of the game, had more possession than Reading. Yet despite having 68% of the ball, Reading only mustered three shots on target. And they were all routine saves for Darren Randolph. The only real chance of note that springs to mind is when substitute Yann Kermorgant fired over from close range late on.

It was 2-0 by then though. Boro had done their job and had the points wrapped up.

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Reading 0 Boro 2

Spinal solidity...and Britt at his best

After Boro had doubled their lead late in the second half, Reading heads dropped and the visitors briefly threatened to add a goal or two more.

From one corner on the left, Daniel Ayala climbed as though he'd taken off from a trampoline but saw his towering and powerful header cleared off the line. Had that gone in it would have capped off the Spaniard's best performance of the season so far.

In what was his third game in succession alongside Ben Gibson, Ayala looked much more composed and in control than he has done of late. He looked much more like himself. Like the Ayala of old.

Daniel Ayala in action against Reading

In one occasion on the first half, Paul McShane had burst down the right and crossed for young debutant striker Sam Smith. Ayala though, was coy, clever and strong, using his strength and positional nous to just ease Smith out of the way.

"DANIEL...AYALA" was the regular cry from the away stand in recognition of such a solid showing. Ayala and Gibson are no strangers to clean sheets and hopefully this is the first of several.

In front of them, while Leadbitter got the goal, Jonny Howson impressed in an excellent all-action midfield showing. He did the messy stuff well but also showed a willingness to get forward and join the counter-attacks in the second half. His cross for the second goal was quite something.

Jonny Howson and Daniel Ayala against Reading

Which leads us on to Britt Assombalonga. The Reading defenders complained about him all game and the Reading fans moaned about him and booed him all afternoon, which tells you all you need to know.

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Now to build on it

Three points are always most welcome but this was a game, in all honesty, that Boro should be winning comfortably, as they did.

Only Bolton and Sunderland have worse home records than Reading this season and the flat and muted Madejski Stadium atmosphere reflected an largely uninspiring start to the season. The hosts were poor.

Still, though, what Boro were crying out for was a springboard. Something to build on.

Garry Monk will know his side have much more to offer than we've seen so far this season but points rather than performances are the immediate priority to close the gap and to get back into that top six.

Boro now have an opportunity against misfiring Hull and crisis-hit Sunderland (if only the game was at the Stadium of Light!) to kick on.

The Madejski hasn't been particularly kind to Boro over the years but memories of the place will swiftly change if this result proves to be a turning point.